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Spring officially arrived yesterday
afternoon despite a high temperature clawing its way only
into the low 30s (low-20s last night), with 33 mph winds dropping the
wind-chill factor significantly. I had a
new trailer hitch
mounted on the "new" '99 Blazer earlier this week in preparation for
moving the boat. I filled the trailer tires using
Wally Riddle's small 110-volt air-compressor and today pulled "Chip Ahoy" from
alongside the house (Wally's "Carpe Diem" -- for sale now that
he owns an Alarion 28 -- remains parked there in the rear) to out
front, its usual early-spring location. (Mar. 21, 2006) |
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I'm almost sure it's safe to finally uncover "Chip Ahoy" for the
coming spring season and let the work begin again. The
new PVC pipe
skeleton frame worked great, though
this past winter didn't
bring a whole lot of snowfall and overall was relatively warm. The
first storm proved
the
frame and tarp worked; the
next big snowfall
was supported well and eventually slid right off the cover as it built
up. |
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Uncovering Chip Ahoy
-- Season 2006 is Officially Launched! |
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We decided that today here was the day, the official first day
of Season '06. With a temperature in the 60s and the 70s forecast
for tomorrow, Wally Riddle came over and we began uncovering our
boats. That's "Chip
Mate," the dinghy, covered alongside to the left of "Carpe Diem," on
pallets. (Mar. 30, 2006) |
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Wally pulled "Carpe Diem" forward in the side yard, as he
has a potential buyer for it coming by over the weekend. Then the
unveiling after another winter began. |
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"Carpe Diem's" first tarp removed: note the
PVC pipe
frame beneath. It held up great through the winter. |
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"Carpe Diem" revealed for the 2006 season. |
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Next came "Chip Ahoy's" turn, yahoo!
Duly note my C22 Midwinter Regatta t-shirt, worn to honor the occasion,
and of course the official "Chip Ahoy"
ballcap! One
must be prepared and properly attired for such auspicious events. |
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Yours truly relieving "Chip Ahoy" of its winter coat.
(I'm really impressed with
Wally's PVC pipe frame
design; it did a great job all winter of supporting the tarps.) |
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"Chip Ahoy" unveiled for Season 2006. |
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Voilà! At last, let Sailing Season 2006
begin to roll! (Mar. 30, 2006) |
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NEXT |
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It's never-ending ...
but Sailing Season '06 has begun! |
